ATLANTA -- A dejected Jim McElwain trudged off a confetti soaked turf inside Atlanta's Georgia Dome with a handful of Alabama assistants taking time out of their jubilant celebrations to wish him well. However, hugs and back pats probably did little to quell the disappointment Florida's coach felt after the 54-16 throttling Alabama handed his Gators in Saturday's SEC championship game.
Florida stood little chance before the game, but that realization only grew the more its SEC bottom-dwelling offense stalled against the Tide's ferocious defense. The Gators mustered 261 yards, including zero net rushing yards on 30 attempts, and three interceptions.